Sec. 42501. (1) A person shall not engage in the business of buying, selling, dealing, or the tanning and dressing of raw furs, hides, or pelts of beaver, otter, fisher, marten, muskrat, mink, skunk, raccoon, opossum, wolf, lynx, bobcat, fox, weasel, coyote, badger, deer, or bear and the plumage, skins, or hides of protected game birds or game animals except as authorized by a license issued by the department under part 13.[FN 1] A license application shall be accompanied by a fee as follows:

(a) For any person who engages in the business of buying and selling raw furs, hides, and pelts of fur-bearing animals or the plumage, skins, or hides of protected game birds or game animals, the fee is $10.00.

(b) Each person in the business of manufacturing furs who buys raw pelts is a dealer, and the fee for each individual or agent who buys furs is, for a resident, $10.00 and, for a nonresident, $50.00.

(c) For any person who engages in the business of custom tanning or dressing of raw furs, the fee is $5.00. However, such a license does not authorize that person to buy or sell raw furs.

(2) Any person holding a fur dealer's license under this part is entitled to buy furs, hides, pelts, and the plumage, skins, or hides, and parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals that are legally taken.

(3) The department may designate the plumage and skin of those game birds and game animals that may not be bought or sold if it determines that such a prohibition will best serve the public interest. The plumage and skins, or parts of plumage and skins, of migratory game and nongame birds may be bought and sold only in accordance with federal law or rule.

(4) For the purposes of this part, “plumage” means any part of the feathers, head, wings, or tail of any bird.

The department may prepare suitable report forms and blanks covering the different kinds of licenses to be issued under this part. All licenses issued under this part are for the calendar year and shall expire on December 31 of each year. Licenses may be revoked at any time by the department for a violation of the law relating to the buying, selling, or dealing in furs, hides, or pelts of fur-bearing animals and the plumage, skins, or hides of protected game birds and game animals. Any fraudulent practice employed in connection with the buying or selling of the furs, hides, or pelts of any of the animals mentioned in this part and the plumage, skins, or hides of protected game birds and game animals, or the failure to make a report required by this part, is sufficient grounds for the revocation of a license issued under this part. Any person whose license has been revoked shall not secure another license except in the discretion of the department.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995.

324.42503 Shipping permits; contents; label; confiscation.

Sec. 42503.

Any dealer who desires to ship or transport out of the state any fur-bearing animals or the raw skins of fur-bearing animals, or parts thereof, or the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals legally taken or killed in the state during the open season, shall first procure a permit from the department. The permit shall state the names of the consignee and consignor, destination and number and kinds of fur-bearing animals, or the raw skins of fur-bearing animals, or parts thereof, or the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals that are to be shipped or transported, and the permit shall be presented to transportation company with consignment. All shippers of fur-bearing animals, or the raw skins of fur-bearing animals, or parts thereof, or the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals are required to label all packages offered for shipment by parcel post, common carrier, or otherwise. The label shall be securely attached to the package, and shall plainly indicate the names and addresses of the consignee and consignor and the complete contents of the package. A person or the agent or employee of any common carrier, association, stage, express, railway, or transportation company shall not transport or receive for transportation or carriage, or sell or offer for sale, any fur-bearing animals legally taken during the open season for that animal, or the raw skins of such a fur-bearing animal, or part thereof, or the plumage, skin, or hide, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals except as specifically provided for by this part. All fur-bearing animals, or the raw skins of fur-bearing animals, or parts thereof, or the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals possessed or that have been shipped or are being transported in violation of this part, shall be confiscated and disposed of as provided by law.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995.

324.42504 Report of pelts in possession on last day of season.

Sec. 42504.

Within 10 days after the close of the respective open seasons provided by law for the taking of fur-bearing animals, game birds, and game animals, each person holding a license under this part shall report to the department stating the number and kinds of furs, hides, or pelts of each fur-bearing animal, and the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals in his or her possession on the last day of the open season for each fur-bearing animal, game bird, and game animal. The reports shall be notarized and sent by registered mail.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995.

324.42505 Monthly reports.

Sec. 42505.

On or before the tenth day of every month, each person licensed to do business under this part shall make a report to the department on blanks to be furnished by the department, stating the number and kinds of raw furs, hides, or pelts of fur-bearing animals, or the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals purchased or sold during the preceding month, and the name and address of the person from whom purchased and to whom sold. The report shall be notarized and sent by registered mail.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995.

324.42506. Disposition of moneys from sale of licenses

Sec. 42506. All money received from the sale of licenses as provided in this part shall be forwarded to the state treasurer and placed to the credit of the game and fish protection account of the Michigan conservation and recreation legacy fund provided for in section 2010, [FN1] and shall be used for the purpose necessary to the protection, propagation, and distribution of game and fur-bearing animals as provided by law.

A person or his or her agent or servant who violates this part is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall forfeit to the state all furs, hides, and pelts of fur-bearing animals and the plumage, skins, or hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds or game animals illegally bought or held, and reimburse the state for illegal furs or illegal plumage, skins, hides, or parts thereof, of protected game birds and game animals sold. If a fine and costs are imposed, the court shall sentence the offender to imprisonment until the fine and costs are paid, but for a period not exceeding the maximum jail penalty provided for this offense.